American Samoa Mental Health Summit- Perspective from Summer Intern

Written by:  Sosefina, Summer Intern 

Dr. Jueta McCutchan, local Clinical Psychologist from Veterans Affairs clinic, led a team of community collaborators to host a two-day event, the Annual American Samoa Mental Health Summit.  Due to Covid-19, and the inability to travel to American Samoa this was a hybrid conference. There were many local and off island presenters who led the sessions.       
  The team included American Samoa Alliance against Domestic & Sexual Violence, Department of Health, Department of Human Social Services, Department of Youth and Women’s Affairs, Empowering Pacific Island Communities (EPIC), Veterans Affairs Service Providers, as well as local faith-based leaders, and governmental leaders.  The team held conversations regarding various aspects of mental health to promote change. 
EPIC Executive Director Kathryn McCutchan talked about a project with 1,125 youth participants from local high schools focused on suicide.  She shared the increase in youth suicides in American Samoa, and how complicated it is to find a solution.  “1 in 3 adolescents (ages 14-19) seriously think about suicide,” shared Ms. McCutchan, “and they have difficulty controlling their thoughts.”  There are signs to help adults as our youth focus on sadness, pain and the feeling of being trapped, linked to family problems, community and church risk factors, school issues and individual risk factors.  “Everyone has a role and responsibility in each community. To raise community awareness, gain knowledge, skills and positive attitude, and lastly to promote treatment, aftercare and recovery,” stated Ms. McCutchan, “We always seem to miss recovery, but it’s important when dealing with someone who is battling their hardest fights.”

The second day of the summit, Clinical Social Worker and Director of the Veterans Center in American Samoa, Robert Toelupe, MSW shared data for individuals who contemplate suicide, seventy (70) percent do not act, thirty (30) percent contemplate suicide, nine (9) percent attempt suicide and one (1) percent complete suicide.  He defined Emotional Intelligence (EQ), as “the ability to recognize one’s emotions and other’s emotions while also having the ability to respond or regulate one’s emotions.” He reminded the group we do not control our emotions, and when they present, but we are in control of how we respond.  This topic was followed up in the breakout sessions for ages 25 and below, where conversations centered on how to start improving emotional intelligence.  Group ideas were to share with friends and peers, teaching about emotional IQ in schools as well as bridging the generational gap. 
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I thought the summit was a great event to learn how important our well-being, and helping others who are fighting their own battles of mental health.  The need for safe spaces to allow people to explain how they feel, is a great way to support those in need.  The event was free of charge, and the speakers were knowledgeable, well versed, as well as brave to share their personal mental health stories.  I encourage our youth to attend the next Mental Health Summit, because it is a great place to start learning.  Participants learn we are not alone, traumatic experiences and life can impact our mental health, but more importantly we can learn about coping mechanisms for wellness.  Mental Health is challenging, but the summit can help to start difficult conversations in a safe and brave space, to change our approach to mental wellness. 
​Edited by:  Jennifer Tofaeono, Executive Director